$2.5 million power boost for Gympie’s homes and businesses

Work is underway on a $2.5 million electricity upgrade which will benefit around 10,000 homes and businesses throughout Gympie and surrounding areas.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said the two-part project involved the connection of a new transformer at Energex’s Gympie electricity substation and new electricity powerlines from the substation to the main Gympie retail area.

“The upgrade will more than double current capacity,” he said.

“Homes and business throughout the Gympie area will benefit from the increased electricity capacity and reliability delivered by the project.

“Electricity usage in the Gympie region is growing at around seven per cent a year with high growth forecast to continue over the next five years.

“The growth forecast represents a significant demand for additional power and Energex staff are working hard to meet that growth.

“Works associated with the project involve laying new cables and work on overhead powerlines,” Mr Wilson said.

Energex is spending $643 million this financial year on the electricity network while a further $263 million has been set aside to maintain and operate the network.

Energex supplies electricity to a population of around 2.7 million people in south east Queensland.

The company’s distribution area of 25,000 square kilometres includes almost 50,000km of underground and overhead electricity lines and cables, over half a million power poles, some 40,000 transformers and more than 260,000 street lights.

Media Inquiries: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332